”So, to answer Big Al's question, what did I cut out? Generally, I just ate less of everything but, in particular, no unnecessaries such as biscuits, jam and crisps. I also limited the number of pastries and cakes, reserving them for special treats. I have been educating myself, over the years, to take less sugar in everything.”

And I echo what Doug says. I was diagnosed T2 in 2007 - I wasn’t overweight (well, maybe half a stone) but I’d had pancreatitis with complications, and major abdominal surgery the previous year, so my pancreas was pretty well buggered - and Doug’s advice is a summary of the advice my diabetic nurse and my hepatobiliary consultant gave me. That’s the regime I’ve followed since that time, and I’ve managed to keep my weight steady and my blood sugar under control. I’m on Metformin and Gliclazide - my doctor advised that, due to the pancreas damage I suffered in 2006 and 2007, there’s no chance of reversing my diabetes by diet alone, and that I will very likely end up needing insulin, but that hasn’t happened yet so I must be doing something right.

By sticking to a balanced diet with reduced intake, avoiding carb- and fat-heavy food and drink, and removing added sugar from my diet (no sugar in tea or coffee, on breakfast cereals, in porridge, in fact in anything) I seem to have kept a good grip on my condition, and my cholesterol count has been 2 or less for the past fifteen years.

I strongly recommend Diabetes UK as a source of information regarding living with Diabetes Mellitus, I’ve learned a lot from them over the years.